Strong showing/placing for Spencer Hyde’s Mid-Winter Pro Mod venture…
Canadian Pro Mod standout Spencer Hyde delivered an impressive performance at the U.S. Street Nationals presented by M&M Transmission, January 22-25 at Bradenton Motorsports Park, advancing to the quarterfinals in one of the most competitive Pro Mod events in history, losing to eventual winner Stevie “Fast” Jackson.
The race marked the second event of the Drag Illustrated Winter Series and featured a staggering 70-car qualifying field battling for just 32 spots. Driving in place of esteemed Pro Mod racer Ken Quartuccio, Hyde quickly found his rhythm in unfamiliar equipment, qualifying No. 10 with a stout 3.570 second pass at 211.06 mph on his second qualifying attempt. The performance placed Hyde solidly in what became the quickest Pro Mod qualifying field ever assembled.
“This car is very similar to mine, so it didn’t take long to get acquainted to it, and it felt like everything was pretty natural,” said Hyde. “These guys have a really good program over here at the Tidwell camp. They gave me a great race car, and it just wasn’t quite good enough today. But I’m confident we can come back at World Series of Pro Mod and go deep into the rounds again.”
Ontario’s Spencer Hyde wheeled Ken Quartuccio’s supercharged Camaro to a strong placing during Drag Illustrated’s US Street Nationals event in Florida.
Following the chip draw, Hyde opened eliminations against reigning World Series of Pro Mod champion Steve King, the No. 26 qualifier. Despite first-round nerves, Hyde drove past King to score the win.
“I got the first-round jitters more than I ever do, because I felt like I had a weight on my shoulders, realizing I am driving Ken Quartuccio’s car,” said Hyde. “Ken is a really good driver and they are always very successful when they come here. If you lose first round, you feel like you’re letting everybody down. I was chopping the tree down all weekend, so I was worried about going red. It was a night run and I let it get to my head, so I had a bad light. But thankfully, Steve Petty bailed me out and gave me a good race car, and we were able to drive around Steve King.”
Hyde found his stride in round two, drawing No. 12 qualifier Sidnei Frigo of Brazil. Hyde delivered one of the highlights of the weekend, cutting a perfect .000 reaction time to secure the win and advance to the Elite Eight.
“This morning I went up there and forgot about all the pressure and just went back to doing my normal deal,” said Hyde. “I got a little lucky and had a perfect light there during round two against Sidnei Frigo.”
In the quarterfinals, Hyde faced No. 6 qualifier Stevie ‘Fast’ Jackson, pulling his number in the chip draw. Difficult track conditions plagued the round, ultimately ending Hyde’s run.
“Unfortunately, in round three the track conditions were pretty subpar,” said Hyde. “There’s eight cars and eight aborted runs, which you never want to see. But everybody had to deal with the same stuff. My parachute rattled out when the car shook and I pedaled it and got back on it, and Stevie was pulling away from me because the parachute was dragging along behind me. We didn’t quite get it done, but Stevie’s one of the best to ever do it and losing to him isn’t the worst thing.”
The weekend underscored the unprecedented depth of competition in the Winter Series, a point Hyde emphasized when reflecting on qualifying. ”
Yesterday I was talking to Aaron Stanfield, he went 3.598 and was No. 37,” said Hyde. “One year ago at this race that would have got him seventh. 30 spots difference from year to year is absolutely wild. It proves how much these guys have been testing and working on their stuff. This whole Winter Series deal breeds competition and everybody wants to be a part of it. Everybody is here to not only win the race, but it’s a huge pat on the back for every team who qualifies.”
With momentum on his side, Hyde now turns his attention to the final event of the Winter Series, the World Series of Pro Mod in February, where he returns as a former event winner, having claimed victory in 2023.
Spencer Hyde
“I am really looking forward to coming back again next month and doing it all again,” said Hyde. “We’ve got a good car. I’ve been driving well, and we have all the tools to make it happen, to put it in the Winner Circle. Being a previous winner, nobody’s won the World Series of Pro Mod twice, and I’d really like to be the first guy to do that. And I think I’m in the best situation possible to get that done.”
Hyde and the Scott Tidwell Racing team will be back in competition at the World Series of Pro Mod on February 26-28 at Bradenton Motorsports Park.
For tickets or more information on the Drag Illustrated Winter Series, visit www.thewinterseries.com.
Posted by Elon Werner
Photos Courtesy of Luke Nieuwhof
